Julie Andrews

Actor, Singer, Writer

Singer-actress Julie Andrews came from humble beginnings on the English vaudeville circuit before going on to become one of the showbiz's brightest talents, and ultimately, one of entertainment's greatest living ... Read more »

Singer-actress Julie Andrews came from humble beginnings on the English vaudeville circuit before going on to become one of the showbiz's brightest talents, and ultimately, one of entertainment's greatest living treasures. After a string of hit productions on Broadway - and being denied the opportunity to reprise her roles on film - Hollywood at last opened its doors to Andrews when she landed the lead in Walt Disney's "Mary Poppins" (1964). Her enchanting performance, combined with a stunning four-octave vocal range, won her an Oscar. Andrews followed with her career-making turn as the embodiment of kindness and sincerity, Maria Von Trapp, in "The Sound of Music" (1965). The record breaking film would remain one of the most successful and beloved movies of all time, gaining legions of fans for generations to come. As the Sixties came to a close, Andrews' professional output waned, although her personal life flourished with a marriage to director Blake Edwards. Andrews went on to score more cinematic hits with her director husband including "10" (1979) and "Victor/Victoria" (1982), as well as enjoy a respectable career as a children's book author. In a tragic bit of irony, the angelic-voiced actress would lose her instrument after a botched throat operation in 1998. However, this did not prevent Andrews from winning over new audiences with turns in projects like "The Princess Diaries" (2001), or lending her still regal voice to the animated fairy tale romp, "Shrek 2" (2004). Through the years, Andrews came to epitomize the concepts of dignity, grace and rare talent - traits that endeared her to fans the world over for nearly 50 years.

Ted Andrews

Met on the set of "Darling Lili" (1970) and married shortly after filming Married Nov. 12, 1969; worked together in several film and television projects as well as the stage adaptation of "Victor/Victoria" Edwards passed away Dec. 15, 2010 with Andrews at his bedside

Professional stage debut at the London Hippodrome as part of a musical revue called "Starlight Waltz"

Began performing on stage with her parents, singing while her mother played the piano

Andrews was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from the University of Maryland (1970).

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Andrews garnered headlines in May 1996 when she refused a Tony nomination as Best Actress in a Musical for "Victor/Victoria." Because she was the only person associated with the show who was cited by the nominating committee, Andrews chose to stand with the "egregiously overlooked" company and asked that her name be withdrawn. While Andrews' name remained on the ballot, she lost to Donna Murphy from "The King and I."

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She was inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame in 1997.

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In the 2000 New Year's Honours, despite her long exile in the United States and Switzerland, Andrews was made a Dame Commander of the British Empire (DBE).

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Andrews was forced to quit the play "Victor/Victoria" towards the end of its Broadway run in 1997 when she developed vocal problems. She subsequently underwent surgery to remove non-cancerous nodules from her throat and was left unable to sing. In 1999, Andrews filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against the doctors at New York's Mount Sinai Hospital. The lawsuit was settled in September 2000.

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On May 8, 2009, Andrews received the honorary George and Ira Gershwin Award for Lifetime Achievement in Music at the annual UCLA Spring Sing competition in Pauley Pavilion.

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According to Andrews' 2008 memoir, her stepfather was an alcoholic. While drunk, Ted Andrews twice tried to get into bed with his stepdaughter, resulting in the young girl putting a lock on her door.